More than 45,000 people have already registered for the city-wide fitness challenge.

People of all fitness and ages levels are encouraged to register at the Dubai Fitness Challenge website, which has nutritional tips and a calendar of events.

Ambassadors include Essa Al Ansari, a 26-year-old Emirati who lost 70 kilograms, Amal Murad, an Emirati parkour athlete, and Dareen Barbar, a Lebanese fitness trainer who lost her leg to bone cancer at age 15 and had not set foot in a gym until her thirties.

The month kicks off with a carnival in Safa Park on October 20. More than 1,500 free fitness classes will be offered around the city.